A pituitary hormone that regulates eggs in women and sperm in men.
Follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, is made by the pituitary gland. In women it helps ovarian follicles grow each cycle. In men it supports sperm production.
FSH is a key marker of fertility and of how the ovaries or testes are working. A rising FSH is one of the clearest signs that the ovaries are running low on eggs, as happens around menopause.
High FSH with low sex hormones points to a problem in the ovaries or testes. Low FSH with low sex hormones points to a pituitary or hypothalamic cause. In men, high FSH can signal impaired sperm production.
Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.
Strongly cycle, sex, and menopause dependent. Guidance only and assay dependent. Ranges vary by lab.
| Group or phase | Reference range |
|---|---|
| Women, follicular phase | ~3 to 9 IU/L |
| Women, mid-cycle peak | ~3 to 22 IU/L |
| Women, luteal phase | ~1.5 to 8 IU/L |
| Women, postmenopausal | ~25 to 135 IU/L |
| Men | ~1.5 to 12.5 IU/L |
Source: LOINC 15067-2. Confirm against your own laboratory's range.
Your result, read with LH and your sex hormones, helps show your ovarian reserve or testicular function and where a hormone issue arises. It supports work on fertility, menopause timing, and low testosterone.
Levels change across the cycle, so timing matters. Hormonal contraception and hormone therapy suppress FSH. High-dose biotin supplements can interfere with certain assays.
Best read together with LH, estradiol, and AMH for ovarian reserve, and with total testosterone in men.
One annual membership, 100+ biomarkers, every result explained in plain language with a personalized action plan and concierge guidance.
